Bea Hosts Black-Tie Dinner Ahead of Abdication

Ahead of her abdication tomorrow, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands tonight hosted a black-tie dinner at the recently renovated Rijksmuseum for foreign guests.

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Guests, which included foreign heirs to the throne, members of the Dutch government and former Dutch territory governments, began arriving at around 7:30pm, for the 8pm dinner. The Dutch Royal Family gathered at the Dam Palace beforehand, and left together en route to the dinner.

For her final hurrah, Queen Beatrix elected for tiaras to be worn for the dinner and donned the Württemberg Pearl Tiara she wore for her wedding in 1966. Princess Máxima wore the Rose Cut Diamond Bandeau Tiara, while Princess Laurentien wore the Dutch aquamarines and Princess Mabel the diamond setting of the Mellerio Sapphire Tiara.

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A final speech as Queen was aired on Dutch television after the beginning of the dinner, in which Queen Beatrix spoke of her role and her family. In reference to her late husband, Prince Claus, the Queen said that she knows history will show that he was the best choice for her husband. She also praised her son, the Prince of Orange, saying that he is well-prepared to take the throne, and that Princess Máxima is a blessing. The whole speech, in Dutch, can be viewed here.

Earlier in the day, the Prince of Orange and Princess Máxima, accompanied by their three daughters, attended a final rehearsal for tomorrow’s inauguration at the Nieuwe Kerk. Festivities begin tomorrow, April 30, at 10am local time, when Queen Beatrix signs the Act of Abdication. This will be followed by a balcony appearance, with the inauguration taking place at 2pm.